Linebacker Zaire Franklin wasn’t an NFL free agent this offseason. But in a recent media appearance, he explained he still had a say in where he landed in his March trade. The linebacker then said he wanted to come to the Green Bay Packers for quarterback Jordan Love.
Franklin shared that while raving about Love during a guest spot on NFL Network’s The Insiders on Friday.
“It starts with the quarterback,” Franklin told Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. “Jordan Love, I told him he was the main reason I came to Green Bay.
“I wasn’t coming to Green Bay or going to an organization without a proven franchise QB. He is that. He’s the type of quarterback you want to be around.
“Great manner in the locker room, competes his ass off, is constantly working to get better. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a QB1 just really raising the level of everybody by his work ethic like that. It’s really dope to see.”
The Packers acquired Franklin in a trade from the Indianapolis Colts during early NFL free agency. Green Bay sent defensive lineman Colby Wooden to Indianapolis for Franklin.
Zaire Franklin Says He Chose Packers for QB Jordan Love
Franklin hit the nail on the head with how he started his answer on Love. In the NFL, no team is winning the Super Bowl without a quarterback.
The veteran linebacker clearly sees Love as a potential championship signal-caller in the league.
Love has experienced regular season success with the Packers the past few seasons. During 2025, he led the Packers to a 9-5-1 record with 23 touchdowns and only six interceptions. Love also had 3,381 passing yards while averaging 7.7 yards per attempt.
In 2026, he will be aiming to take the next step. Love is 1-3 in the postseason and hasn’t won in the playoffs since January 2024.
Franklin Shares Why He Wanted to Play for Packers Defense
Having the quarterback is crucial. But if the past couple Super Bowl winners proved anything, elite defenses still win NFL championships.
The Packers have assembled a defense with one of the best defensive players in the league as the focal point.
That was another significant draw for Franklin to come to Green Bay.
“Then, at the end of the day, we’ve got one of the best defensive players on the planet in Micah Parsons, as well,” said Franklin. “When you’ve got a quarterback and you’ve got a pass rush, you’ve got a chance.”
It looked like for awhile last season that with Micah Parsons, Love and the Packers would take that next step in 2025. But Parsons suffered a season-ending injury in Week 15.
With Parsons in the lineup, the Packers went 9-4-1. After his injury, they didn’t win a game.
Parsons could miss the start of 2026. But with Green Bay appearing to be on the verge of a Super Bowl run, Franklin emphasized that he’s looking forward to helping the Packers get there.
“I think these guys are ready to take the next step,” added Franklin. “I’m ready to help lead them there and do my part to bring a Lombardi back to Green Bay.”
New Packers LB Zaire Franklin Speaks out on QB Jordan Love